Trail of woodenbuildings and churches in Wielkopolska

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Trail of wooden buildings and churches in Wielkopolska

Hurry to visit the wooden churches and secular buildings, they pass away so fast – one is tempted to paraphrase the famous words by Jan Twardowski - a poet and priest who said “Hurry to love people, they pass away so fast”. Unfortunately, wood is not a permanently lasting construction material. It is enough to look at the figures: accord-ing to Liber beneficiorum by Archbishop Jan Łaski, in the early 16th century there were 482 wooden churches in the then Archdio-

cese of Gniezno while today in Wielkopol-ska (a similar area) there are 230 surviving examples of religious architecture, accord-ing to the authors of the monograph entitled “Wooden Churches in Wielkopolska”. The situation is similar in the case of windmills, which are a distinguishing mark of this re-gion. In the 18th century there were 3,500 and currently there are only a few hundred of them.

Windmills at the open-air museum in Osiek nad Notecią,photo: Archive of the District Office in Piła

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Prayer and the smell of wood

Wooden churches in Poland, in-cluding those in Wielkopolska, are our dis-tinguishing mark and a characteristic fea-ture of our architecture in comparison with the rest of Europe. They bewitch with their simplicity, unusual architectural designs, aesthetic finesse and the intangible, almost impossible to describe, atmosphere which also includes the scents. One could ask the question: why wood? It is simple - in the Polish land wood was very easily accessible, and what is most important – the cheapest construction ma-terial. This is confirmed by various facts, for instance: the very first church of the Five Martyr Brothers in Międzyrzecz re-portedly was built of wood. Significantly, wooden churches were built in small set-tlements whose owners could not afford to build more expensive, brick structures, even though the wooden buildings could burn down... In such case the new church would again be built of wood. Wooden churches in Wielkopol-ska do not differ in terms of their structure from wooden churches in other regions of Poland. The differences are limited to details and furnishings. Most often we can encounter buildings rep-resenting the “log cabin” style construction. The logs were placed horizontally one on top of the other and in the corners they were joined by means of various types of notches. Initially round logs were used, later they were hewn or grated to achieve a rectangular cross-section. Less frequently in Wielkopolska we can encounter frame constructions, also known as a timber-frame or post and beam structure. In this case vertical poles were joined at the top, at the bottom and crosswise by beams to create frames and braces, which were then filled with clay, stone, brick... Then they were planked or plastered. This type of construction was presumably brought to Po-land from the west and was typically used for building evangelical churches (at present churches using this type of construction can

most often be seen in Czarnkowsko-Trzcia-Czarnkowsko-Trzcia-necki and Pilski Districts). In Wielkopolska you can also see many buildings of vertical-post log con-struction. In this case horizontal beams are placed between posts with notched grooves. Religious wooden architecture can be encountered throughout Wielkopolska, yet it is least frequent in the northern and western regions. We suggest five routes. From each of them you can come back to Poznań for the night, or you can arrange 2, 3 or 4 day trips (and spend the nights in Gniezno, Konin and Kalisz). We also suggest a separate trip to Słopanowo, a village lo-cated away from any of the trails of wooden churches.

I Poznań – Chludowo – Oborniki – Wełna – Potulice - Tarnowo Pałuckie – Podlesie Kościelne - Popowo Kościelne - Jabłkowo

– Kiszkowo - Gniezno or Poznań(accomodation)

Chludowo

It would be hard to find a better place to start. The wooden church of All Saints in Chludowo is a typical example of log construction, which is the most com-mon in the wooden religious architecture of Wielkopolska. The one-room church was erected in 1736. There are two adjoining chapels, from the north and south. The chancel is based on a triangular floor plan. From afar you can see the tower holding a small bell and covered with a metal spire. The church enchants with its Ba-

roque interior. The main altar from the 18th century holds a painting of All Saints. The side altars date from a later period. Those en-tering are greatly impressed with the sculp-tures of Christ, the Mother of God and St. John which are placed on the profiled rood beam separating the nave from the chancel. Chludowo is a village in the com-mune of Suchy Las, located 18 kilometres north of Poznań, along the road to Oborni-ki. Other places worth visiting in the village include the palace, rebuilt after World War II, which currently is home to the Society of the Divine Word (Divine Word Missionar-ies). The missionaries have set up here the Museum of the Mission and Ethnography. Next to the palace we can see the bust of Roman Dmowski, the former owner of the estate, and Saint Arnold Janssen the founder of the Society of the Divine Word.

Church of All Saints62 -001 Chludowo, ul. Kościelna 4tel. 61 811 65 02

Oborniki

Some townspeople used to be very generous. In 1766 a woman of this social group funded the church in Oborniki. The building is supported on a frame structure, filled in with bricks and then plastered. The church in Oborniki has one nave and a narrower chancel closed with a triangle-shaped wall. The tower over the vestibule is topped with a bulbous spire covered with sheet metal and holding a lamp. The ceiling is ornamented with a polychrome from the 1920s. The interior is predominantly Baroque, although the sculp-ture of Christ Crucified in the main altar is older (16th century). The figure of Mary Magdalene kneeling at the cross dates from the 18th century. An inscription on the rood beam says: “This Church of the Holy Cross was built in 1766 A.D. and funded by Ł. Ły-Ł. Ły-czykowska”. Oborniki, a district town, is about 30 kilometres north of Poznań. Buildings in the town centre date mainly from the late

Church in Śmigiel,photo: Z. Schmidt

Church in Oborniki,photo: Z. Schmidt

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19th and early 20th century. We can also see a few Art Nouveau style houses.

Church of the Holy CrossAt the intersection of Obrzycka and Czarnkowska Streets 64-600 Oborniki WielkopolskieParafia Miłosierdzia Bożegotel. 61 297 00 95

Wełna

Who would think that such a jewel could be found in a small village...The most beautiful features of the Church of the El-evation of the Holy Cross in Wełna are the polychromes. This place of worship was built in 1727 by castellan Wojciech Rydzyński, the owner of the village. It represents a log-cab-in structure with outer planking. The nave is surrounded by an enclosed and roofed pas-sage-way whose Polish name can be trans-lated into “Saturdays” (they provided shelter for those arriving one day earlier for Sunday mass). At the nave’s sides are two chapels, forming a kind of transept. Even though it is a single-nave church, there are two sacristies next to the chancel. In the northern part of the nave there is a choir gallery connected with balconies located along the northern and southern walls of the nave. The ceiling

and walls are covered with polychromes by Adam Swach, which depict scenes related to the legend and cult of the Holy Cross: “Em-peror Constantine’s Vision” (in the chancel), “Finding of the True Cross by St. Helena” (at the ceiling of the nave) and the figures of Christ, Mary and the apostles (on the walls of the chancel and nave). The furnishings date from the time the church was built. Wełna, village in the commune of Rogoźno, is located along the Wełna river (6 kilometres north of the road from Poznań to Piła). It is a good idea to take a walk along the river, which is truly picturesque in this area. Other landmarks here include the pal-ace from the second half of the 18th century, and a 19th century watermill.

Church of the Elevation of the Holy CrossWełnaParish of the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of the World64-608 Parkowo, tel. 67 261 05 28

Potulice

The Church of St. Catherine was built by Aleksander Samuel Biegański in 1728. Log-cabin construction was used here. Adjoining the rectangular nave there

is a narrower chancel closed with a triangle-shaped wall, and on its western side –the post-and-beam structure of the tower with a vestibule in the ground floor. Later a sacristy and the tomb chapel of the Biegański family were added next to the northern wall. The roof is covered with shingles. Potulice, village in the commune of Wągrowiec, is located 6 kilometres north of Rogoźno. It also features the Biegański fam-ily Manor House surrounded by a romantic-style park.

Church of St. CatherinePotulice62-100 Wągrowiec, tel. 67 261 68 84

Tarnowo Pałuckie

Considered to be the oldest reli-gious wooden building in Wielkopolska, in fact the origins of the church are a topic of dispute. The latest dendrological tests showed that the wood used for the construc-tion of the chancel, a part of the nave and the sacristy was chopped in the 4th quarter of the 1300s. Other researchers claim that the construction material was used here for the second time, because the architecture of the church suggests it was created in the late

17th early 18th century. Results of tests in-volving the materials used for the construc-tion of the ceilings and the tower constitute an argument for the later date. The single-nave church of St. Nich-olas is a log-cabin structure. The chancel is narrower and closed with a straight wall. Adjoining the nave in the south is a small vestibule and in the west – a tower. The nave is covered with a ceiling and the chancel vault consists of faux wooden beams. In addition to its age, the note-worthy features of the church include the polychromes from circa. 1639 by Walenty Podczosik from Kcynia. The paintings de-pict scenes from the lives of St. Nicholas and St. Margaret (walls of the nave). The ceiling is covered with a representation of the Ado-ration of the Holy Trinity and coffers with images of the prophets. The chancel walls are impressive with the beautiful paintings depicting scenes from the New Testament. The chancel vault is embellished with floral motifs. The main altar in the late Renais-sance style contains a painting of the As-sumption of the Virgin Mary in the middle, and images of St. Nicholas and St. Margaret on the sides. The side altars are Baroque in style. Tarnowo Pałuckie, a village on Lake Rgielsko, is 6 kilometres north-east of Wągrowiec, along the road to Inowrocław. From Tarnowo you can pay a short visit to Łekno, where you can see the late Gothic church of Saints Peter and Paul from the mid-16th century. On the western shore of Lake Łeknieńskie is a place called Klasz-torek. Archaeological findings here include the walls of a castle from the early Piast dynasty times, and foundations of a pre-Romanesque rotunda church from the mid 11th century holding a Romanesque cloister church which was built later.

Church of St. NicholasTarnowo Pałuckie Parish of Saints Peter and Paul62-105 Łekno, ul. Poprzeczna 3tel. 61 261 60 84

Interior of the church in Wełna,photo: Z. Schmidt

Church in Potulice,photo: Archive of the Commune Office in Wągrowiec

Interior of the church in Tarnowo Pałuckie,photo: Z. Schmidt

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Podlesie Kościelne

The Church of St. Anne from 1712 was built with a rectangular floor plan and a narrower chancel closed with a straight wall. This is a log-cabin structure with outer planking. The nave is topped with a beam ceiling and the chancel with a barrel vault. The interior makes a great impression with its colours constituting a mixture of natural wood, and the dominating shades of red and green. The main altar is a combination of three different parts dating from the 18th century. Podlesie Kościelne, a village in the commune of Mieścisko, is located 10 kilo-metres south-east of Wągrowiec along the road from Mieścisko to Skoki.

Church of St. Anne62-285 Podlesie Kościelnetel. 61 427 88 91

Popowo Kościelne

Three kilometres from Podlesie Kościelne is the village of Popowo Kościelne. Here you can see the wooden church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from 1629. During alteration works in 1720 two side chapels were added. This single-nave church with a chancel closed with a triangle-shaped wall represents log-cabin construction type. The tower is topped with a bulbous spire with a lamp. The ceilings,

choir gallery and window frames are orna-mented with floral motifs. The 17th century altar contains an image of The Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus. The rood beam holds a 16th century crucifix as well as figures of the Mother of God and St. John, from the 1700s. Popowo Kościelne is a village in the commune of Mieścisko. Besides the his-toric church there is a noteworthy mansion from the early 20th century, surrounded by a park.

Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary62-285 Popowo Kościelne 24tel. 61 427 88 98

Jabłkowo

The interior of the church of St. Mi-chael the Archangel overflows with Baroque. The patron’s image is extremely lively and colourful. The Baroque grandeur of the side altars contrasts with the ascetic crucifix on the rood beam. The church in Jabłkowo was erected in 1754. It has a rectangular floor plan, and a narrower chancel closed with a triangle-shaped wall. Its builders used the log-cabin construction type. The village is located along the road from Mieścisko to Skoki. You can also see a palace from the first half of the 19th century

surrounded by a park here.

Church of St. Michael the ArchangelJabłkowo (branch church)Parish in Raczkowotel. 61 427 93 17 Kiszkowo

One of the reasons that church of St. John the Baptist in Kiszkowo is worth vi-vi-siting is the Pietà from the second half of the 17th century. The church was built in 1733, as an expansion of the previously existing brick chapel. This is a log-cabin structure with outer planking. Kiszkowo, a village holding the commune authorities, is located 27 kilome-tres from Gniezno. The place has retained a “spindle-shaped” urban layout with a market square in the middle. In the proximity there is a Marian sanctuary in Górka Duchowna and the oldest complex of pine and larch for-est in Wielkopolska.

Church of St. John the Baptist62-280 Kiszkowo, ul. Gnieźnieńska 3tel. 61 427 60 56

Church in Podlesie Kościelne,photo: Z. Schmidt

Church in Jabłkowo, photo: Z. Schmidt Interior of the church in Kiszkowo,

photo: Z . Schmidt

Church in Kcin,photo: Z. Schmidt

II Poznań - Kicin - Wierzenica– Czerlejno – Gułtowy – Giecz – Września – Słupca – Golina - Kazimierz Biskupi -

KoninIIA Gniezno – Niechanowo – Brudzewo

– Staw – Słupca – Golina - Kazimierz Biskupi -Konin (accommodation or com-

ing back to Poznań)

Kicin

The single-nave church, of log-cab-in type structure with outer planking and featuring a chancel closed off with a trian-gle-shaped wall, stands on a hill. It was built in 1749 – 1751. The ceilings and side walls are ornamented with early 20th century polychromes. The Rococo and neo-Baroque furnishings date from earlier times. Kicin is worth visiting at Christmas time for the smell of hay used in the tradi-tional nativity scene decorations. Kicin is located 10 kilometres north-east of Poznań.

Church of St. Joseph62-004 Kicin, ul. Kościelna 2tel. 61 812 70 22

Wierzenica

This church ranks among the old-est religious buildings in Wielkopolska. It

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Interior of the church in Gułtowy, photo: Z. Schmidt

Church in Wierzenica, photo: Z. Schmidt

Church inWrześnia, photo: Z. Schmidt

was presumably built in the third quarter of the 16th century. From 1589 to 1598 it was in the hands of people following a different religion. In the early 1600s a brick sacristy was added to it, and in 1724 – a tower. Ca. 1870 a tomb chapel of the Cieszkowski fam-ily was built. The interior features Baroque altars from the late 17th century. The northern wall of the nave holds a tombstone of the philosopher August Cieszkowski, designed by Stefan Cybichowski, with two-winged doors designed by Teofil Lenartowicz. The philosopher’s bust was sculpted by Antoni Madeyski. The village is located 6 kilometres from Swarzędz. It was home to a remarkable philosopher of the Romantic period - Au-gust Cieszkowski, who used to host visits of Zygmunt Krasiński. We can also see here a manor house from the second half of the 19th century.

Church of St. Nicholas62-006 Wierzenica, ul. Wierzenicka 12tel. 61 897 33 04

Czerlejno

The church was erected in 1743 as a log-cabin type structure with outer planking. The tower and the vestibule were added fifty years later. It features a rectangular layout and a slightly narrower chancel closed with a triangle-shaped wall. In the main nave we

can admire the vaults embellished with cof-fers and supported by poles, which creates an impression that there are three naves. The altars are in the Rococo style. The sculptures on the rood beam date from the latter half of the 16th century and were brought here from an older church. The village is located 5 kilometres south of Kostrzyn. A palace from the early 20th century is currently a school.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary63-005 Czerlejno, ul. Kostrzyńska 1tel. 61 817 85 83

Gułtowy

The construction of the church of St. Casimir started in 1737. Its timber frame was infilled with bricks, and the walls inside were planked. The chancel is narrower and has a tri-lateral shape. It is adjoined by a sacristy, with a private lodge of the church founders on the first floor. Inside, the ceil-ing of the church has the form of a barrel vault, and the wooden supporting columns mark narrow side naves. On the vaults of the main nave we can admire 18th century polychromes depicting the Apotheosis of St. Casimir. On the chancel vault we can see an image of the Mother of God surrounded by angels. The choir gallery is noteworthy for

the interesting shape of its balustrade and the musical motifs of the polychrome. The altars and figures represent Baroque and Ro-coco styles. Gułtowy is located 10 kilometres south-east of Kostrzyn. In the village we can see a restored Classicist and Baroque pal-ace of the Bniński family. Its interior holds a large ball room with paintings attributed to Antoni Smuglewicz. In the surround-ing park there is an outbuilding and an L-shaped coach house.

Church of St. Casimir62-025 Gułtowy, ul. Pałacowa 8tel. 61 818 04 64

Giecz

A village with two religious build-ings: a Romanesque church of the Assump-tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the second half of the 12th century and a wood-en church of St. John the Baptist and Our Lady of Consolation, presumably erected in 1767 (in the area called Grodziszczko). The latter is a single-nave, log-cab-in type structure with planking. It is closed by a narrower chancel with three-fold outer wall. It features Baroque interior furnish-ings. The village is located 12 kilometres north-east of Środa Wielkopolska. In the

times of King Bolesław Chrobry it was a ma-jor administrative, military and economic centre of Wielkopolska. Since the 18th cen-tury the area of the former castle has been called Grodziszczko. In 1963 an archaeolog-ical reserve and museum were opened here. The Romanesque church has the graves of the following people: architect Stanisław Hebanowski who designed man-sions and palaces in Wielkopolska and his grandson – the legendary literary director of Teatr Polski in Poznań – Stulek Hebanowski.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryGiecz, 63-012 Dominowo, ul. Grodziszczko 2tel. 61 285 92 76

Września

The Chapel of the Holy Cross in Lipówka was built in 1674. A legend says that the place used to hold a miraculous spring, whose water lost its healing proper-ties over time. The chapel with a rectangular layout is a log-cabin type structure. Its no-table feature is the overhanging edge of the roof. In its interior, we can see polychromes dating from the third quarter of the 19th century and altars from the 17th and 18th century. Września, a district town, is located 45 kilometres from Poznań. In its centre there is a quadrilateral town square. We can also see here a neo-Gothic town hall at Jana Pawła II Street, and an elementary school from the second half of the 18th century at Dzieci Wrzesińskich Street, which currently holds a museum presenting the history of the struggle for the national independence in the Prussian Partition. It is a good idea to take a look at the Town Parish Church from the mid-15th century. Chapel of the Holy Cross62-300 Września, ul. Świętokrzyska 20tel. 61 436 15 16

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Church in Kazimierz Biskupi, photo: Z. Schmidt Interior of the church in Niechanowo,

photo: Z. Schmidt

Słupca

This wooden church of extraor-dinary beauty dates from the 1500s, and is an example of log-cabin construction with planking. The single-nave structure features a narrower and lower chancel with multi-angle outer walls. The nave is adjoined by two symmetrically laid out chapels: the southern is devoted to the Holy Cross and the northern to St. Leonard. The chapel of the Holy Cross (having the status of a sanc-tuary) holds a Baroque altar with a Gothic crucifix (known for its miraculous powers). The chapel of St. Leonard makes a great im-pression with its Baroque altar holding a painting of the Saint from ca. 1430. Look-ing at the chancel, we can delight in the late Renaissance main altar from the early 1600s with a bas-relief depicting the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and sculptures of St. Leonard and St. John the Baptist. Słupca, a district town, is located approx. 20 kilometres from Września along the road to Konin. It is a good idea to visit the Gothic church of St. Lawrence. The town also has its own Regional Museum and – on the outskirts - an artificial lake called Słupeckie.

Church of St. Leonard and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary(also known as a sanctuary of the Holy Cross)62-400 Słupca, ul. Sienkiewicza 11 tel. 63 275 19 71

Golina

The Church of St. James the Apos-tle was designated to be transferred to the open air museum in Dziekanowice, yet the local residents of Golina objected to that decision. The log church with planked walls dates from the second half of the 18th cen-tury. Its three-nave structure is closed with a narrower chancel with triangular outer walls. It features Baroque furnishings. The town is located 11 kilometres before Konin, along the road from Słupca. The his-torical street layout has been preserved.

Church of St. James the Apostle62-590 Golina, ul. Wolności 2atel. 63 241 80 14

Kazimierz Biskupi

The church of St. Isaac is located within a cemetery. It was built in 1793. The main part of the log church has a nearly square layout while the chancel has a rectan-gular floor plan. Its admirable features in-clude the Empire-style altar holding an im-age of St. Isaac, a rarely encountered patron saint in Wielkopolska. Kazimierz Biskupi, a village hold-ing commune authorities, is located 12 kilo-metres north-west of Konin, along the road to Kleczew. It is better known for the cult of the Five Martyr Brothers. The village was established by Duke Kazimierz Odnowiciel who relocated here the Order of St. Benedict from the village of Święty Wojciech, where Polish and Italian monks had presumably died martyr’s death. The church of St. Martin retains a wooden ceiling with the painting of the Five Martyr Brothers. In another part of the village there is the post-Bernardine monastery from the first half of the 1500s, currently home to the Missionaries of the Holy Family. Sculptures of the saints dating from the 1500s can be admired in the church

of St. John the Baptist and the Five Martyr Brothers. In the monastery you can see eth-nographic collections acquired throughout the world by the missionaries.

Church of St. IsaacParish of St. Martinul. Konińska 562-530 Kazimierz Biskupitel. 63 24 11 200

IIA

Gniezno

Niechanowo

The Church of St. James was built in 1776. In the early 20th century it was thor-oughly reconstructed: the tower was moved to another location, the main nave was pro-longed, and the sacristy was added. The log church with planking on its outer walls and plastered inner walls, has Baroque and Ro-coco furnishings. There are visible referenc-es to Italian art – the figure of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception from 1868 and the tombstone of Franciszek Żółtowski and his wife Zofia. This village holding commune au-thorities is located approx. 10 kilometres

south-east of Gniezno along the road to Słupca. Other attractions include a Baroque and Classicist palace, and an 18th century landscape park.

Church of St. James the Apostle62-220 Niechanowo, ul. Różana 54tel. 61 427 21 89

Brudzewo

The wooden church of St. Mary Magdalene was erected in 1826. The single-nave interior closes with a narrower chancel with multi-angle outer walls. Its most beau-tiful and valuable feature is the sculpture of the Mother of God with Baby Jesus in the style of the Beautiful Madonnas, dating from ca. 1429. Brudzewo is a village located ap-prox. 10 kilometres north-west of Słupca.

Church of St. Mary Magdalene62-422 Brudzewo 35tel. 63 275 91 29

Staw

Church of Hedwig of Silesia dates from the late 1700s. Like many others in this area it is a log building with planking on its outer walls. The roofs are covered with metal sheets. The furnishings include Rococo-style doors dated to 1854, the main altar in the late Renaissance style (holding a crucifix from the late 17th/early 18th century), as well as Rococo side altars. We can also see two con-temporary stained-glass windows by Maria Powalisz-Bardońska, an artist from Poznań. Staw is a village in the commune of Strzałkowo, located 8 kilometres north of Słupca.

Church of Hedwig of SilesiaStaw 1, 62-420 Strzałkowotel. 63 275 91 07

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Church in Rzgów, photo: Z. Schmidt

Church in Kalisz, photo: Z. Schmidt

III Konin – Rzgów (to Rychwał) – Zbiersk – Blizanów (you can take a detour to

Russów) – Żegocin – Kalisz

Rzgów

Church of St. James the Apostle was built in the first half of the 1500s. The tower was added in 1790. This single-nave church is log-cabin type construction with planking and features a narrower chancel with three-fold outer wall. An eight-sided chapel adjoins the church in its northern part. The nave and chancel are topped with one metal-sheet roof, and the chapel with a tented roof with a bulbous cupola and lamp. The interior features Baroque fur-nishings from the 17th and 18th century.This village holding commune authorities is located 16 kilometres south-west of Konin along the road towards Zagórów.

Church of St. James the Apostle62-586 Rzgów, ul. Zagórowska 5tel. 63 241 90 05

Zbiersk

The Church of St. Ursula was built in 1759. In 1879 the wooden chancel was replaced with a brick structure. A western vestibule and sacristy were also added. The church represents the vertical-post log con-struction (rarely encountered in our region), and its outer walls are planked. The interior

features Baroque furnishings. The rood beam holds a noteworthy figure of Madonna and Child, with references to the Gothic style. This large village is located 5 kilo-metres from Stawiszyn, along the road from Kalisz to Konin.

Church of St. Ursula62-830 Zbiersk 140 tel. 62 7520 523

Blizanów

This old church dating from 1532 is a log construction with planking on its outer walls and a square floor plan. The nave ad-joins a narrower chancel . The interior fea-tures Rococo altars from the 18th century. Next to the church there is a wooden belfry. One of the side altars holds a painting of St. Thecla. This village holding commune authorities is located 8 kilometres west of Stawiszyn.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary62-814 Blizanówtel. 62 751 10 84

Żegocin

The origins of Żegocin as a cult place are described by a legend which says that the painting with miraculous powers was brought here from a church formerly existing in the nearby village of Łęg. Other sources add that it was brought to Żegocin for safety reasons, because the latter church often experienced floods caused by the over-flowing Prosna river. This log church with planking on its outer walls was built in 1714. The interior features Baroque and Rococo furnishings. The main altar from the early 1700s holds gilded figures of the angels: Michael and Ga-briel as well as Simeon and Aaron. On the entablature we can see the scene of the Cor-onation of the Virgin and figures of the Four

Evangelists. The altar also holds an image of Madonna and Child, dated to the first half of the 17th century, and with its style mak-ing a reference to Our Lady of the Snows (Salus Populi Romani). The difference is that in the original image the Baby is holding a book in his hand, and in Żegocin – an apple. The Madonna is wearing a dark green coat and Jesus – a red dress. Angels are holding up Mary’s crown. Below the painting there is an inscription: „Sancta Dei Genitrix ora pro nobis”. Mary and the Child are decorat-ed with a silver dress which is mounted on a crescent, underneath we can see a sculpture depicting torments in Purgatory. The paint-ing is concealed by an image of the Annun-ciation. Żegocin is small village located 12 kilometres north of Pleszew. We can also see here an 18th century Baroque palace and outbuilding amidst a neglected park (old trees). Outside the village, to the north-west there is a wooden windmill from the mid-19th century.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryŻegocin 39, 63-304 Czermintel. 62 741 69 04

Kalisz

The Church of St. Adalbert was built in 1798. Like most churches in Wielkopol-ska it is a log structure with planking on its outer walls. The nave has a nearly square layout and is adjoined by a chancel with rec-tangular floor plan. The vestibule was built as a vertical-post log structure. The roofs are covered with shingles and the walls with polychromes. The Baroque main altar holds an image of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus. The church is located in the prox-imity of an archaeological reserve in Za-wodzie.

Church of St. Adalbert62-800 Kalisz, ul. Bolesława Pobożnego 85Parish of St. Gotthardul. Kordeckiego 3, tel. 62 766 62 80

IV Kalisz – Mikstat – Ostrzeszów – Na Pólku (Bralin) - (along the way you can

make a detour to Antonin) - Ostrów Wielkopolski - Dobrzyca - Golina k.

Jarocina -Poznań

Mikstat

The Church of St. Roch in Mikstat is currently located within a cemetery in the southern part of the town. It was built in 1773. Like most wooden churches in Wielkopolska it is a log-cabin type struc-ture. Its floor plan is based on the Greek Cross, while the chancel and the arms of the transept are enclosed within a three-fold outer wall. Over the intersection of the nave and the transept there is a tiny tower with a small bell and lamp. Inside we can see vaults embellished with images of saints. The church functions as a sanctuary of St. Roch and is a pilgrims’ destination. We do not know much about this Saint. He pre-sumably lived from 1295 to 1327. He was endowed with healing powers. Suspected of spying, he was thrown into prison, and tortured – he died five years later. Accord-

1514

Ignacy Moś – collector of Sienkiewicz mem-orabilia, Father Maksymilian Kolbe, Tade-usz Kościuszko, King Przemysł II…

Church of St. NicholasParish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary63-500 Ostrzeszów, ul. Farna 5 tel. 62 730 32 34 Bralin

South-east of Bralin, two kilome-tres away from the village, on the left side

Interior of the church in Bralin, photo: Z. Schmidt

Church in Ostrzeszów, photo: Z. Schmidt

Church in Ostrów Wlkp.,photo: Z. Schmidt

ing to father Wiesław Niewęgłowski, his in-nocence and holiness were revealed by an inscription which miraculously appeared on the prison walls: “Those who are hurt by pestilence and call on St. Roch as their inter-mediary and advocate, shall be healed”. The town is located approx. 12 kilometres north of Ostrzeszów. The oval-shaped centre holds a quadrilateral town square.

Church of St. Roch63-510 Mikstattel. 62 731 00 06

Ostrzeszów

Church of St. Nicholas was built in 1758 from larch wood. The nave with a near-ly square layout adjoins a chancel which, to-gether with the sacristy, is enclosed within a three-fold outer wall. Inside the walls and ceilings are covered with 18th century poly-chromes depicting the Four Evangelists. The late-Baroque main altar holds a late-Gothic figure of the patron saint. Generally the fur-nishings make references to these two styles. Ostrzeszów is a district town lo-cated 36 kilometres south-west of Kalisz. The church is located in the eastern part of the town. In the centre we can see a small quadrilateral market square with the town hall from 1840 (today housing the Regional Museum). Other noteworthy landmarks in-clude the Gothic parish church located east of the town square, a defensive tower and

remains of walls – traces of a Gothic castle from the first half of the 1300s (north-west of the town square). In the northern part of the town we can see a post-Bernardine monastery today occupied by Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. In the town there are a number of monuments and memo-rial plaques in honour of remarkable people: General Józef Haller, Henryk Sienkiewicz,

of the road to Rychtal is a small wooden church, a real jewel of religious architecture in Poland. This is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Built in 1711, the church has a floor plan based on the cross with arms of equal length tapering outwards. Its interior is di-vided into five parts; the largest section – in

the middle – is topped with a barrel vault, the “arm” sections have flat ceilings. Four doors lead into the church. The main altar, dating from the first half of the 1700s, is a double-faced structure and is surrounded with a balustrade with figures of angels in its four corners. The altar holds a painting known for its miraculous powers and depicting the complete figure of Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus (the canvass with the oil painting is attached to a larch wood board which is 185 x 125cm). The Madonna is standing on a blue crescent supported on a red dragon. She is wearing a pink pleated dress, and a

dark blue coat with purple lining which is flowing down from her shoulders. In her right hand she is holding a long sceptre, in her left hand she is supporting the child clad in a white, tulle dress. The child with his left hand is leaning against his mother’s arm, while his right palm is lifted in a gesture of blessing. The figures are placed against light blue background which turns darker in the lower part of the painting, whose edges are decorated with angels’ heads. The stylistic traits of the image suggest it was created in the 1600s. Bralin, a large village holding com-mune authorities, is located in Kępiński District. The origins of the settlement are disputable. According to some researchers they are connected with the Bull of Gniezno announced by Pope Innocent II in 1136, others assign the fact to a document issued on 12 July 1288 by Tomasz II, the Bishop of Wrocław. The village was granted municipal rights before 1540, and lost them ca. 1875. In the middle of the village there is a small mar-ket square, and in its vicinity The Church of St. Anne from 1672. Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Na Pólku63-640 Bralin, ul. Wrocławska 58tel. 62 781 20 10

Ostrów Wielkopolski

The Church of the Blessed Vir-gin Mary – Queen of Poland in Ostrów Wielkopolski was built by Duke Józef Radziwiłł in 1788 to hold an Evangelical chapel. Since 1945 it has been used as a Catholic church. Its timber frame structure is infilled with bricks and its outer walls are covered with concrete panels. The single-nave church does not have a distinctive chancel section. From the west it is adjoined by a neo-Romanesque tower with a bulbous cupola. The noteworthy features of the inte-rior include the two-floor matroneum along the side walls. The furnishings date from the late 1700s. Ostrów Wielkopolski is a town lo-

1716

cated approx. 23 kilometres south of Kalisz. The first historical references to the settle-ment date from 1404. The Mediaeval urban layout of the town was incorporated into the 19th century developments resulting from the growth of industry. In its centre with can see the town square with a town hall built to the design of Karl Friedrich Schinkel. In the vicinity there is a neo-Romanesque par-ish church built in 1903 – 1907 to the design of Roger Sławski. Inside we can see excellent sculptures by Władysław Marcinkowski and Marcin Rożek.

Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Queen of Poland63-400 Ostrów Wielkopolskiul. Królowej Jadwigi 7, tel. 62 735 57 27

Dobrzyca

The church was built in 1778, and represents a log-cabin type structure with planking on its outer walls. The elongated nave in its western side adjoins a chancel

Interior of the church in Dobrzyca, photo: Z. Schmidt

enclosed within a three-fold outer wall. The main altar holds an image of its patron, St. Thecla. The altars, baptismal font and pulpit are in Rococo style. The village with buildings typical of small towns is located approx. 12 kilometres west of Pleszew along the road to Koźmin. In the past the village had municipal rights, which can be seen in its quadrilateral market square. Tourists are drawn to Dobrzyca not so much by the wooden church of St. The-cla as by the palace and park complex of the Gorzeński family with the layout of a Ma-sonic square (two wings creating the right angle). The interiors feature illusionist style paintings attributed to Antoni Smuglewicz. The landmark is unique for Poland because no other place retains such a complete paint-ed decor so fully reflecting the approach typical of trompe l’oeil. The palace is sur-rounded with a beautiful landscaped park.

Church of St. Thecla63-330 Dobrzyca, ul. Rynek 6tel. 62 741 30 10

Golina The Church of St. Andrew is dated to the second half of the 16th century. Dur-ing 1726 – 1743 it was thoroughly refur-bished. Part of this wooden, one-nave church is covered with a half-timbered wall (10 x 22 metres); it has a distinctive chancel, and its style represents the so-called Wielkopolska-type Baroque. In addition to the main altar we can see here two side altars devoted to St. Benno and St. Anthony. Besides that there is a separate altarpiece with St. Joseph. All of these date from the second half of the 1600s. Other noteworthy features include the pul-pit supported on St. Jonah, and the altar cloth embroidered in the unique local style. The image of Our Lady of Golina, renowned for its miraculous powers, is placed in the richly carved Baroque main altar from the 17th century. The painting depicts the Madonna and Child, and makes a reference to the image of Madonna della Vittoria. The Madonna is placed against a brown background which shifts towards gold and yellow in the vicinity of her slender stern-featured face. Her red dress with gold-en rim under her neck is covered with a grey and blue coat with golden lining. Her right hand is resting on her breast and with her left palm she is supporting the child wearing a white and grey dress. The child’s face has adult features. His left hand is holding the Gospel and his right palm is raised up. The painting dates from the 1600s (133 x 93 cm), the canvass with the oil painting is attached to a lime wood board. Golina is a village in the vicinity of Jarocin, located on the Lubieszka river.

Church of St. Andrew63-200 Jarocin, Golina ul. ks. Szczepana Toboły 1tel. 62 740 40 22

V Poznań – Rogalinek (you can make a detour to Rogalin) – Błociszewo - Dolsk

- Domachowo - Zakrzewo - Śmigiel - Rakoniewice - Ruchocice - Grodzisk Wielkopolski - Granowo – Poznań

Rogalinek

The Church of St. Michael and Our Lady Who Helps Christians was built in the late 17th/early 18th century. The notable fea-tures of its construction include the so-called dovetail joints. The interior of the church is furnished with Baroque altars. Visitors’ at-tention is drawn to the matroneum gallery supported on decorative poles. Next to the church there is a wood-en belfry with gable roof, from the late 1800s, representing post and beam construction and partly covered with planking. The village is located 4 kilometres east of Mosina, along the road to Kórnik. The church is situated on the bank of the Warta river.

Church of St. Michael and Our Lady Who Helps Christians 62-050 Mosina, ul. Wodna 8, tel. 61 893 80 61

Błociszewo

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel from 1736, which originally had a different layout, currently is a timber frame structure covered with planking. Inside its log walls were plastered. In 1939 Wacław Taranczewski embellished the ceiling with polychromes. The altars are in late Baroque style. In the early 1900s stained-glass win-dows were installed. The village is located 9 kilometres west of Śrem. It is a good idea to take a look at the neo-Baroque palace, currently hold-ing a spa house. In front of the entrance gate there is a figure of Władysław Marcinkowski from the early 20th century.

Church of St. Michael the Archangel63-100 Błociszewo, ul. Kasztanowa 2tel. 61 281 21 83

Województwo

Pomorskie

Województwo

Zachodniopomorskie

Województwo

Lubuskie

Województwo

Opolskie

Województwo

Kujaw

sko-Pomorskie

GNIE

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NA

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ANÓW

ZEGO

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RSK

RUSS

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MIK

STAT

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ÓWKALI

SZ

LESZ

NO

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POTU

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POPO

WO

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NW

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NA

BISK

UPI

KAZI

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NGR

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GROD

ZISK

WLK

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ZAKR

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DOLS

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2120

Church in Dolsk, photo: Z. Schmidt

Church in Śmigiel, photo: Z. Schmidt

Museum of Firefighting in Rakoniewice,photo: Archive of Wielkopolska Tourist Organization

Dolsk

The Church of the Holy Spirit in Dolsk was erected in the mid-15th century and until 1810 was used as a hospital chapel. The church represents the log-cabin type structure, with planking on its outer walls, whereas the sacristy is a timber frame con-struction. Polychromes date from the early 1900s. The interior features early Baroque altars and rood beam with a crucifix from the first half of the 16th century. Dolsk is a town located on moraine hills on a lake, 12 kilometres south of Śrem along the road to Gostyń. We can see here a town square with a town hall consisting of three buildings, as well as the late Goth-ic church of St. Michael (west of the town square). Next to the church there is an im-pressive rectory built during 1758 – 1770.

Church of the Holy Spirit63-140 Dolsk, ul. Świętego Duchatel. 61 282 55 13

Domachowo

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Domachowo stands out among other log churches in Wielkopolska for its unusually tall roofs covered with shingles. It was built in 1568. Later, a chapel was added in 1586, and a new sacristy in 1775. In the

1930s the nave was extended westward. Two arcades located south of the main nave pro-vide access to a narrow side nave. The interior features Baroque fur-nishings. Especially noteworthy is the main altar dating from the third quarter of the 18th century, with a Gothic sculpture of Pi-età (ca. 1400) and an image of the Corona-tion of Mary (dating from the same time as the church). The village is located approx. 7 kilo-metres north-east of Krobia. This is a place where unique Biskupizna folk traditions are cultivated, (which can be seen particularly in the colours of women’s costumes).

Church of St. Michael the Archangel 63-804 Krobia, Domachowo 78tel. 65 571 42 23

Zakrzewo

The Church of St. Clement was erected ca. 1610. A brick chapel and sacristy were added on its northern side 50 years later. Particularly noteworthy features of its interior include the Baroque polychromes. Those on the ceiling depict scenes from the life of St. Clement, on the southern wall we can see scenes related to the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the western wall – St. Stanislaus in

front of the king, and on the balustrade of the matroneum – the Four Evangelists. The furnishings of the church con-stitute a kind of collage: Régence style main altar from 1730, late Baroque altar in the side chapel, a Baroque baptismal font as well as folk sculptures on the rood beam. The village is located 5 kilometres west of Miejska Górka.

Church of St. Clement 63-910 Zakrzewo 40tel. 65 547 43 40

Śmigiel

Church of St. Vitus was built in 1769. Its timber framed structure was in-filled with bricks and stones, and plastered. It is located in a cemetery. The main altar makes a great impression with a late Gothic triptych from 1506, enclosed in an early Ba-roque housing. The side altar, in early Ba-roque style, holds Pietà and a late Gothic

sculpture of St. Anne with the Blessed Virgin Mary, dating from 1506. The town is located 12 kilometres south-east of Kościan. The church is situated along the road from Kościan to Leszno. In the vicinity of the town square we can see a Gothic, three-nave church, and at Matejki Street the former Evangelical church of St. Stanislaus Kostka.

Church of St. Vitus 64-030 Śmigiel, ul. Świętego Witatel. 65 518 00 44

Rakoniewice

The former Evangelical church (from 1763) is the seat of the Wielkopolska Museum of Firefighting. The timber framed structure of the church was infilled with clay and bricks, and plastered. It has a rectangu-lar floor plan and a tower. On both sides of the nave there are two storey balconies. On the ground floor we can see motor and horse drawn fire engines, fire pumps... On the first floor balcony there is a display of uniforms, documents, badges, magazines, and on the second floor – posters. The village located 12 kilometres north-west of Grodzisk Wielkopolski has retained the 17th century urban layout. In the centre there is a large market square with 4 arcaded houses. In the 1600s, when Rako-niewice had municipal rights, Czech Broth-ers settled here. We can also see here an 18th century church and a 19th century mansion. Rakoniewice is the place where Doctor Ro-Ro-bert Koch had his fi rst practice as a physi-Koch had his first practice as a physi-cian.

Wielkopolska Museum of Firefighting 62-067 Rakoniewice, ul. Kościelna 1tel. 61 444 11 58www.wmp-muzeum.psp.wlkp.pl

Ruchocice

The Church of St. Ursula was built in 1730 – 1737. It represents a log-cabin type structure with planking on its outer

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Church in Ruchocice, photo: Z. Schmidt

Church in Grodzisk, photo: Archive of the Town Office in Grodzisk Wlkp., M. Tuliński

Interior of the church in Granowo,photo: Z. Schmidt

Polychrome in the church in Słopanowo,photo: Z. Schmidt

walls. Inside we can see late Baroque altars. The most noteworthy feature of the interior is the organ front dating from the second half of the 18th century. The village is located 5 kilome-tres north-west of Grodzisko Wielkopol-skie along the road from Poznań to Zielona Góra.

Church of St. Ursula62-072 Ruchocice, ul. Dworcowa 2tel. 61 444 34 28

Grodzisk

The Church of the Holy Spirit in Grodzisk was built 1663. The log church with planking on its outer walls has a rec-tangular layout. Inside, on the ceiling we can see the original polychrome from the second half of the 1700s, depicting the Coronation of the Virgin Mary, and on the altar wall – a curtain constituting the background for the main altar. The latter holds a painting of St. Valentine from 1663. In the side altars there are illusionist style paintings. The pulpit and benches date from the 18th century. Grodzisk is located approx. 40 kilometres south-west of Poznań. The town retains two urban layouts: dating from the Middle Ages (surroundings of the Old Town Square) and from the 16th century - these are connected by Szeroka Street which has been transformed into a pedestrian zone. In Grodzisk we can also see the church of St.

Hedwig, in the mannerist style; the Baroque post-Bernardine church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and a neo-Goth-ic former Evangelical church of the Most Sa-cred Heart of Jesus. A 19th century manor house houses the Regional Museum.

Church of the Holy Spiritul. Rakoniewicka 1Parish of St. Hedwig62-065 Grodzisk, ul. Kościelna 1tel. 61 444 54 45

Granowo

The Church of St. Martin was built in 1729. It represents a log-cabin type struc-ture with planking on its outer walls. Its sin-gle nave adjoins a chancel which is enclosed within a three-fold outer wall. Inside there is a Baroque main altar from the second quarter of the 18th century. The upper part of the altar holds an image of the patron – St. Martin. The village holding commune au-thorities is located 11 kilometres east of Grodzisk Wielkopolski along the road from Poznań to Zielona Góra. We can also see here a 19th century mansion and next to it a historic park.

Church of St. Martin62-066 Granowo, ul. Szkolna 2tel. 61 447 20 15

Curiosity

Słopanowo

The Church of St. Nicholas may be the only Catholic church in Poland in which we can encounter an image of the devil. Underneath the matroneum there are the remains of a polychrome, which depicts the devil holding a woman by her collar. It is possible she is an inn-keeper, as she has a not quite full mug of beer in her hand. Her sins are listed on ox skin: backbiting, slandering; and a justification of the verdict: “because she did not fill up (the mugs)”. The Church of St. Nicholas was built in 1695 and represents a log-cabin type structure with planking on its outer walls. This is a single-nave church with a nar-rower chancel enclosed within a three-fold outer wall. The whole interior is covered with polychrome, with folk-style references, which was painted during 1695 – 1701. In the chancel we can see scenes from the life of the patron saint, and on the ceiling a rep-resentation of the Holy Trinity. In the nave we can encounter images of Saints Lawrence

and Stephen, as well as Christ the Saviour..., and on the ceiling a representation of Mater Misericordiae. The altars represent baroque style, and the rood beam holds a late Gothic sculpture of Our Lady of Sorrows from the 16th century. The village is located in the com-mune of Obrzycko, 9 kilometres north-west of Szamotuły.

Church of St. NicholasSłopanowo (keys are kept by the sacristan)Parish of Peter and Paul the Apostles64-520 Obrzycko, ul. Kościelna 10tel. 61 291 32 32

Land of Windmills

Wielkopolska used to be called a Land of Windmills. This landscape was most beautifully described in a poem by Bolesław Leśmian:

Towering over the friendly plane of fallow groundWindmill, unveiled to all sides of the worldIts wooden crinoline, dancing with the creaking soundLike a devil, casts its spiky shadow to the grass...

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Windmill in Osieczna, fot. Archive of Leszno-Region Tourist Organization

Windmills in Śmigiel, photo: Z. Schmidt

Windmills in Dziekanowice,photo: Archive of „Szlak Piastowski” Tourist Organization

Windmills in Koszuty, photo: Z. Schmidt

Unfortunately, the only things re-minding of windmills are memories and po-ems. Some of these were placed in open-air museums in Osiek nad Notecią and Dzie-kanowice. Some stand solitary, forgotten by God and people. Others were saved by people passionate about their native areas, for example by members of the Wielkopol-ska Windmills Association. Thanks to them a post mill called Joseph was preserved in Rydzyna and currently holds the Museum of Agriculture and Milling. The Association re-vived the glamour of the windmill in Osiec-zna. The lovers of Wielkopolska windmills, inspired by a German example, are planning to create a thematic trail of windmills. It is assumed that the first windmill in Wielkopolska was built in Kobylin (1303). Within the Wielkopolska landscape we can see three types of windmills. The most common are the so-called post mills. Most often they were built on hill tops. The whole construction was supported by a four armed “seat” placed in the base, and the windmill was set towards the wind with the help of a characteristic long bar and a reel. The wall holding an entrance into the windmill constituted its front and stood out for its architectural designs with decora-tions, galleries... The opposite wall with the propeller was called “windward”. Another type called “paltrak” was similar to post mills but appeared later, in the 19th century. It differs from post mills in that its whole construction is supported on

rollers which rotate along the round route of its movement. The third type, called “Dutch mills”, their name making reference to the fact they are similar to those in Holland. In Wielkopolska they appeared in the 1700s. Most often they had a circular or eight-later-al floor plan. The base was immovable, and the structure was tapering upwards; most often these were brick structures. They were different from post mills and paltrak mills in their operation – only their top part, the so-called “cap”, was movable, and it was turned towards the wind with the help of a special roller device.

Osieczna

A complex of three post mills. The oldest dates from 1761. They have the fol-lowing names: Franciszek, Józef Adam and Leon. In the past they witnessed many bat-tles. The best known, called “Battle at the windmills” took place on 11 January 1919. They are located along the road to Leszno.

Rydzyna

Museum of Agriculture and Milling (trail V)

The post mill in Rydzyna holds the Museum of Agriculture and Milling. It is

open in the summer season. The post mill has been reconstructed, and for this purpose original parts of other windmills were used.

Contact: Jarosław Jankowskitel. 601 56 70 32www.wiatrakmuzeum.rydzyna.pl

Śmigiel (trail V)

In 1860 the town had 52 windmills. Today, there are only two, standing along the exit road towards Poznań. One (dating from 1726) was relocated to this area from Broniów, the other (built in the 18th cen-tury) from Brońsk.

Koszuty (trail IV)

In the vicinity of Tośtoki Inn and a manor house, there are three 18th century post mills. There were brought here from Jarosławiec, Pałczyn and Pięczkowo.

Budzisław Kościelny

In the summer of 2011 the post mill in Budzisław Kościelny was thoroughly restored. In its vicinity a Miller’s Cottage was also reconstructed. The windmill was built in 1858. The revived buildings are des-ignated to hold a library and a museum of milling. The commune authorities are cur-

rently gathering the collections. In the sur-roundings a place designed to hold recrea-tion events is being built. Budzisław Kościelny is located on a lake in the commune of Kleczew.

Dziekanowice

Wielkopolska Ethnographic Park (on trail number I or II)

In the small open air museum, near the ferry to Ostrów Lednicki there is the oldest windmill in Wielkopolska. This post mill was built in 1585 and was relocated here from Gryżyna (timber frame structure planked with wood boards). Three windmills located on a hill, along the northern side of the road from Poznań to Gniezno, near Moraczewo make a great impression. They date from the 19th century and were brought here

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Windmills at the open-air museum in Osiek n. Notecią, photo: Archive of the District Office in Piła

Palace in Antonin, photo: K. Piechocki

from Swadzim (1896), Sołeczno (1844) and Sędziwojewo (1821). Within the large open air museum, close to one another there are a “paltrak” mill relocated from Kędzierzyn (1887), a post mill from Mierzewo (1801) and a “Dutch” mill from Trzuskołoń. An ethnographic area in Rogierów-Rogierów-ko (near Rokietnica) features a Dutch mill from 1905, built as a timber frame structure and planked with wood boards. It houses a small museum (see: open air museums)

Osiek nad Notecią

Museum of Rural Culture

This open air museum features three windmills: a paltrak from Żelice (sec-ond half of the 19th century), a post mill

from Chojno (1865) and a Dutch mill from Gromadno (dating from the 1890s) (see: open air museums).

Where and in what way did they live

The evidence for the lifestyles of simple inhabitants of Wielkopolska, when the wooden construction styles prevailed, can be found in open air museums. But be-fore we get there, it should be mentioned that some wooden buildings once owned by aristocracy and nobility have also survived here. The Hunters’ Palace of the Radziwiłł family in Antonin is a jewel of wooden archi-tecture – by some people it is called Chopin’s Sanctuary in Wielkopolska. Jerzy Waldorff described this charming landmark in this way: This Hunters’ Palace is the only place

which has not changed since the times of the remarkable composer. If its wooden walls could talk, they would be entitled to say this: we met him, we saw and heard him. The enchanting mansion in Koszu-ty looks different. Its last owners were Kazi-mierz Rekowski and his wife Gabriela (née Małachowska). Its current hosts – Museum of Środa Region – decided to preserve the atmosphere of a nobility house, and it seems they have been successful. The open air museums have com-pletely different looks – they are an at-tempt to reconstruct rural life,;that is why the buildings are enclosed to form separate homesteads. The public buildings, such as the church, school, windmills – in a sense recreate, and give an idea of an old village in Wielkopolska. Indeed, “in real life”, in a given area very old and new buildings can stand side by side. This organic process of the growth of history can be seen in an open air museum. Sometimes, you can get the feeling that you could bring farm animals into the byres, hay and wheat into the grana-ries, and families into the houses – and it is possible to live here. You cannot relocate some things into open air museums, in fact there is no need. In the surroundings of Nowy Tomyśl, Öland-style buildings have been preserved. And although it is not a tradition originating from Wielkopolska, still people from Öland inhabited this area for a few centuries. The homesteads which they left behind are still used as dwellings or they hold farm build-ings. In some of those their owners have es-tablished agri-tourist facilities.

Antonin

Hunters’ Palace of the Radziwiłł family (trail IV)

The Hunters’ Palace of the Radziwiłł family in Antonin was built in 1822 – 1824 to the design of Karl Friedrich Schinkel, an architect from Berlin. The building has the layout of the Greek Cross, it features a three-storey hall with galleries,

and the ceiling supported on a thick column. Three side wings hold guest rooms, and the fourth contains the staircase. On the first floor there is a room devoted to the remark-able Polish composer who used to visit the place. At present the palace houses a hotel and Home of Creative Work. On the ground floor we can visit an elegant restaurant. Each year in autumn the place holds the festival called “Chopin in the colours of Autumn”.

Hunters’ Palace of the Radziwiłł familyAntonin63-421 Przygodzice, ul. Pałacowa 1tel. 62 73 48 300, 62 73 48 169www.chopin-antonin.plwww.ckis.kalisz.pl

Koszuty

Half-timbered manor house (trail IV)

In the Koszuty manor house time stopped in the late 19th/early 20th century. One gets an impression that its residents

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Inside the manor house in Koszuty, photo: Z. Schmidt

Manor house in Koszuty,photo: Z. Schmidt Inside the manor house in Koszuty,

photo: Z. Schmidt

Manor house in Russów,photo: Archive of the District Museum of Kalisz Region

Wooden town hall in Sulmierzyce,photo: Z. Schmidt

have just left. It features rooms typical for this kind of house: hallway, dining room, guest room, rooms belonging to the Master and Lady of the house, and children’s room... All of those are furnished in the style of the period. The half-timbered building was erected on the foundations of a former, wooden mansion, presumably in 1760, and was altered in the following century. From 1966 iit has housed the Museum of Środa Region. Its attic holds an exhibition de-picting the history, and renowned persons connected with Środa region: Jan Henryk Dąbrowski, Amilkar Kosiński, Edward Raczyński, Ryszard Berwiński, Father Au-gustyn Szamarzewski. The manor house is surrounded with a landscaped park. In the vicinity there is the wooden church of St. Bartholomew. It was built in 1720 and represents a log-cabin type con-struction with planking on its outer walls. The main altar holds a painting of Our Lady of Rokitno, from 1737. The side altar fea-tures Pietà from the late 1500s. On the chan-cel wall we can see a Gothic sculpture of St. Margaret from ca. 1480. In the vicinity of the manor house there are three windmills.

Museum of Środa Region63-300 Środa Wielkopolska, Koszuty 27tel. 61 28 51 023www.koszuty.pl

Sulmierzyce (trail IV)

The town square in Sulmierzyce holds a wooden town hall. This is the only building of this type in Poland. The first re-cords related to a town hall date from 1647. The current structure was erected in 1743. In 1879 its tower was lowered, the clock and ar-caded galleries were removed. The log build-ing has two floors and a rectangular layout. It is topped with a hip roof covered with shingles. On three sides it forms arcades supported on wooden posts. In the middle of the ridge there is a quadrilateral tower topped with a metal cupola. The walls of the building were plastered. The interior retains the arrangement of rooms, with the mayor’s office and the Council Hall on the first floor. Today, the building houses the Regional Museum of Sulmierzyce Area. In the town we can also see a post mill called Jakub from the second half of the 19th century - in order to visit it inside you must contact the Museum.

Sebastian Fabian Klonowicz Regional Museum of Sulmierzyce Area 63-750 Sulmierzyce, Rynek 1

tel. 62 722 34 80, 62 722 32 18 www.muzeumsulmierzyce.pl

Open air museums

Russów

Exposition of wooden rural architecture of Kalisz Region (trail III)

Maria Dąbrowska was born and brought up in Russów near Kalisz. The re-nowned writer did not live to see the re-construction of her family mansion, and in 1971 a museum named after her was opened here. This is one of the branch lo-cations of the Museum of Kalisz Region. In the vicinity of the writer’s mansion is an exposition of wooden rural architecture of the Kalisz Region where we can admire landmarks of rural architecture dating from the 19th and 20th century.

Maria Dąbrowska Mansion in RussówExposition of wooden rural architecture of Kalisz Region 62-817 Żelazków, Russów 49tel. 62 769 12 65, www.muzeum.kalisz.pl

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Hauländer homesteads in Jastrzębsko Stare,photo: Archive of the Town Office in Nowy Tomyśl

Hauländer homesteads in Borua Nowa, photo:. Archive of the Town Office in Nowy Tomyśl

Dziekanowice

Wielkopolska Ethnographic Park (on trail I or II)

Wielkopolska Ethnographic Park in Dziekanowice is a branch location of the Museum of Early Piast Dynasty in Lednica. It spreads along Lake Lednica. In the park we can see 53 buildings from the whole area of Wielkopolska. For instance we can com-pare a cottage from 1602 with a cottage built in 1936 – both representing vertical-post log construction: an interesting diversity of cul-tures. In this open air museum we can feel as if we were in an old village, because next to the homesteads from various periods and areas of Wielkopolska we can see windmills, a church, a granary, a smithy, a school... The buildings are furnished in a way which gives you the feeling that in fact someone lives here and has just gone out to work in the field. They are surrounded by house gardens. Access by car – along the national road No. 5 from Poznań (35 km), by train – the railway from Poznań to Gniezno (you

must get off in Lednogóra), by bus (PKS ser-vice) – the bus line from Poznań to Gniezno (via Pobiedziska). The distance from the bus stop in Dziekanowice to the gate is 300 me-tres.

Museum of Early Piast Dynasty in Lednica 62-261 Lednogóra, Dziekanowice 32tel. 61 427 50 23, www.lednicamuzeum.pl

Osiek nad Notecią

Museum of Rural Culture

This museum consists of two sec-tions: archeological and ethnographic. The first one presents exhibits obtained in the course of archeological research con-ducted in this area. In the vicinity a tra-ditional style village of “oval” shape was reconstructed. In addition to huts and cot-tages as well as farm buildings we can see here windmills, a fire station, a smithy and a sawmill. The buildings come from the central catchment area of the Noteć river, i.e. Notecka Forest, Pałuki and Krajna.

Museum of Rural Culture (branch of Regional Museum in Piła),89-333 Osiek nad Notecią, ul. Dworcowa 10tel. 67 286 60 90Access: by train – railway line from Piła to Bydgoszcz, by car: 5 km from the road from Bydgoszcz to Piławww.muzeum.plia.pl

Rakoniewice (trail V)

The town located along the na-tional road No. 32 (Poznań – Zielona Góra) retains a typical small town arrangement of buildings. Particularly impressive are the wooden and half-timbered houses from the 18th and 19th century, including those at Grodziska, Kościelna, Krystyny, Pocztowa and Wolsztyńska Streets. Other noteworthy landmarks here include the half-timbered building of the former Evangelical church, which currently holds the Museum of Fire-fighting (see: wooden churches).

Pyzdry

This unique town retains the origi-nal “truss-shaped” urban layout. In the Town Square, we can see a wooden house No. 17 from 1768, representing a vertical-post log construction, with an arcade, supported on four posts, as well as the house No. 19 – a half-timbered structure from the first half of the 19th century (both are private property). Other noteworthy landmarks in Pyzdry include the 19th century houses along Kaliska, Farna, Daszyńskiego and Kilńskiego Streets, as well as a windmill from 1903 at Wrocławska Street.

Settlements of Hauländer people in thesurroundings of Nowy Tomyśl

Settlements of Hauländer  people have become a permanent feature of the Wielkopolska landscape. Hauländers started settling in the area of Nowy Tomyśl in the 18th century. First they took residence in Sękowo, then in Glinno and Paproć. Later

they also settled in Boruja Stara, Przyłęk, Jastrzębsko Stare, Grubasko, Nowa Róża… The Hauländer homesteads typically are isolated and scattered over a large area. The crofts usually comprised a narrow cottage, pigpen, and barn. Sometimes a separate woodshed and tool shed were built. In the central area of the yard there was a shadoof well, and in the proximity of the house there were large trees. In this area typical cottages had a wide front, and a rectangular floor plan.  Although the style and the buildings in Hauländer crofts have survived intact, the cottages have been significantly trans-formed. All buildings were made of wood (oak, pine, larch). They represent log-cabin, post and beam, as well as vertical-post log constructions - just like the wooden church-es. At present many of these crofts have been transformed by their owners into agri-cultural farms. Detailed information can be found at: www.olederskieosadnictwo.nowytomysl.pl

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Accommodation

PoznańHotel Sheraton ***** ul. Bukowska 3/9, 60-809 Poznańtel. 61 655 20 00, fax 61 655 20 01www.sheraton.plHotel Safir ul. Żmigrodzka 41/49, 60-171 Poznań tel. 61 867 37 11, fax 61 867 83 36 www.hotelsafir.plHotel Poznańskiul. Krańcowa 4, 62-030 Lubońtel. 61 649 99 88, fax 61 649 99 89www.hotelpoznanski.plHotel Mercure **** (Accor Hotels) ul. Roosevelta 20, 60-829 Poznań tel. 61 855 80 00, fax 61 855 89 55 www.accorhotels.comHotel HP Park *** ul. Abpa Antoniego Baraniaka 77 61-131 Poznań tel. 61 874 11 00, fax 61 874 12 00 www.hotelepark.plHotel Ibis Poznań Centrum ul. Kazimierza Wielkiego 23, 61-863 Poznań tel. 61 858 44 00 , fax 61 858 44 44 www.ibishotel.com

Hotel Rzymski *** Al. Marcinkowskiego 22, 61-827 Poznań tel.61 852 81 21, fax 61 852 89 83 www.rzymskihotel.com.plHotel Meridian ul. Litewska 22, 60-605 Poznań tel. 61 656 53 53, 61 841 12 01fax. 61 656 55 26 www.hotelmeridian.com.plPensjonat Nasz Klub – Guest Houseul. Woźna 10, 61-777 Poznańtel. 61 851 76 30, fax 61 851 66 81www.naszklub.plFusion Hostelul. Św. Marcin 66/72, 61-808 Poznań tel. 61 852 12 30, fax 61 853 46 0www.fusionhostel.plGuest rooms of the Polish Academyof Sciencesul. Wieniawskiego 17/19, 60-713 Poznańtel. 61 851 68 41www. ibch.poznan.pl TPD Youth Hostel ul. Drzymały 3, 60-613 Poznań tel. 61 848 58 36, fax 61 849 09 82 www.schroniskotpd.d83.plHanka School Youth Hostel ul. Biskupińska 27, 60-463 Poznań Strzeszyn tel. 61 822 10 63, fax 61 840 71 28 www.schroniskahanka.comSchool Youth Hostel ul. Berwińskiego 2/3, 60-765 Poznań tel. 61 866 4040

Gniezno and local areaAwoul. Warszawska 32, 62-200 Gniezno tel./fax 61 426 11 97, www.hotel-awo.plCityul. Rynek 15, 62-200 Gnieznotel. 061/ 425-35-35, fax 61 425 37 37Gewertul. Paczkowskiego 2, 62-200 Gnieznotel. 61 428 23 75, fax 61 425 33 43www.gewert.gniezno.plLechul. Bł. Jolenty 5, 62-200 Gnieznotel. 61 426 23 85, fax 61 424 57 33www.hotel-lech.plMieszkoul. Strumykowa 2, 62-200 Gnieznotel. 61 426 46 25www.hotelmieszko.gniezno.plVictoriaŁubowo 13, 62-260 Łubowotel. 61 427 54 54, fax 61 427 51 36www.hotel-victoria.pl

HostelsSchool Youth Hostelul. Pocztowa 11, 62-200 Gnieznotel./fax 61 426 27 80

Kalisz and local areaEuropaAl. Wolności 5, 62-800 Kalisztel. 62 767 20 31/33, www.hotel-europa.plFloraul.Wiatraki 3, 62-800 Kalisztel. 62 757 46 50, www.hotel-flora.plCalisiaul. Nowy Świat 1-3, 62-800 Kalisztel. 62 767 91 00, fax 62 767 91 14www.hotel-calisia.plSeven ul. Częstochowska 77, 62-800 Kalisztel. 62 764 43 43, www.hotelseven.plSchool Youth Hostelul. Handlowa 30, 62-800 Kalisztel. 692 066 942Granada ul. Wrocławska 9363-400 Ostrów Wielkopolskitel. 62 738 73 10, fax 62 738 73 05www.hotelgranada.plDworek ul. Kaliska 7/9, 63-500 Ostrzeszów tel. 62 730 95 50, fax 62 730 95 52www.dworek.net.pl

Lido Sport and Leisure Centre in Antoninul. Wrocławska 6, 63-421 Przygodzicetel./fax 62 73 48 127, 609 198 426www.antonindomki.pl

Konin and local areaPałacyk ****ul. 1 Maja 15a, 62-510 Konintel. 63 245 77 77, fax 63 246 60 10www.palacyk-konin.plKonin**ul. 1 Maja 13, 62-510 Konin tel. 63 243 76 00, fax 63 243 76 07www.hotelkonin.plSchool Youth Hostelul. Staffa 5, 62-505 Konin – Gosławicetel. / fax 63 242 72 35www.schronisko-goslawice.plGuest House – owned by Ewa and Jan Goździkowiecul. Jaśminowa 4, 62-500 Konin - Wilków”tel. 63 241 45 08Arka Pilgrims’ Home Reception ul. Klasztorna 4, 62-563 Lichen Starytel. 63 270 81 62, fax 63 270 83 20arka@lichen.pl

Interior of the church ib Gułtowy, photo: Z. Schmidt

Polychrome in the church in Słopanowo,photo: Z. Schmidt

Altar in the church in Kicin, photo: Z. Schmidt

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Magdaul. Toruńska 27, 62-563 Licheń Starytel. 63 270 87 00www.hotelmagda.com.pl In Licheń it is possible to get rooms in the following private accommodation facilities: „Aga”, „Agro”, „Eugenia”, „Abba”, „Tomasz Kuznowicz”… Details at: www.lichen.biz/noclegi.phpSara ul. Zielona 5, 62-600 Kołotel. 63 26 24 880, fax 63 26 24 840Catering establishments

Poznań Restauracja Przy Bamberce Stary Rynek 2, 61-772 Poznań tel. 61 852 99 17www.bamberka.com.plBrovaria Stary Rynek 73, 61-772 Poznań tel. 61 858 68 68/78, fax 61 858 68 69www.brovaria.plGreen Way- Vegetarian food outlet ul. 23 Lutego 11 (as well as ul. Taczaka 2 and Zeylanda 3), 61-741 Poznań tel. 61 582 52 41www.greenway.webpark.plGospoda Pod Koziołkami Stary Rynek 95, 61-773 Poznań tel. 61 851 78 68, fax 61 851 78 69www.podkoziolkami.plPieprz i wanilia ul. Murna 3a (róg ul. Koziej), 61-771 Poznań tel. 61 851 86 64, fax 61 855 35 40www.pieprzwanilia.plRestauracja Estella ul. Garbary 41, 61-869 Poznań tel. 61 851 71 22, fax: 61 855 16 68www.estella.pl Sphinx ul. Św. Marcin 66/72, 60-807 Poznań tel. 61 852 53 62 www.sphinx.poznan.plCocorico Cafe ul. Świętosławska 9, 61-840 Poznań tel. 61 852 95 29 www.cocorico.pl Weranda Caffeul. Świętosławska 10, 61-840 Poznań tel. 61 853 25- 87 Zielona Weranda Cafeul. Paderewskiego 7, tel. 61 851 32 90www.zielonaweranda.plCzekolada ul. Żydowska 29, 61-761 Poznań tel. 61 851 92 91

U Przyjaciół ul. Mielżyńskiego 27/29, 61-729 Poznań tel. 61 851 67 95, 609 838 803

GnieznoAmandaul. Chrobrego 1, 61-200 Gnieznotel. 61 428 28 31, fax 61 428 28 30Ratuszowaul. Chrobrego 40/41, 62-200 Gnieznotel./fax 61 424 32 23Europejskaul. Dąbrówki 19, 62-200 Gnieznotel. 61 426 30 41, 61 426 30 35Gwarnaul. Mieszka I 16, 62-200 Gnieznotel./fax 61 426 16 16In CentroRestaurant & Pizza Barul. Rynek 10, 62-200 Gnieznotel. 61 428 26 14 Polskaul. Tumska 5, 62-200 Gnieznotel. 61 426 18 00

Ristorante Italianoul. Tumska 12, 62-200 Gnieznotel. 61 426 14 97Sphinxul. Chrobrego 4, 62-200 Gnieznotel. 61 426 13 73

Kalisz and its areaKarafkaul. Górnośląska 10, 62-800 Kalisz tel. 62 767 86 60, www.cafekarafka.plPiwnica Ratuszowa Główny Rynek 20, 62-800 Kalisztel. 62 757 05 03Pięterko Staropolskaul. Zamkowa 12, 62-800 Kalisztel. 62 757 53 02www.centrum.pl/restauracjeRestauracja KTW Park Miejski 2, 62-800 Kalisztel. 62 764 29 46, fax 62 757 46 69www.restauracja-ktw.plPod Karocąul. Wrocławska 247, 62-800 Kalisztel. 62 768 74 47, www.podkaroca.plBambus ul. Śródmiejska 31, 62-800 Kalisztel. 62 764 29 85Eldoradoul. Kościuszki 20, 63-500 Ostrzeszówtel. 62 730 37 87

Konin Restauracja Italia ul. Chopina 16, 62 -510 Konintel. 63 242 13 25, www.resitalia.konin.plGospoda Piwnicznaplac Wolności 11, 62-500 Konintel. 63 244 11 98, www.gospodapiwniczna.plSphinx ul. Chopina 18, 62-510 Konintel. 63 246 97 03, www.sphinx.plRady’s Restauracja Greckaul. Paderewskiego 8, 62 – 510 Konintel. 63 246 92 53Living Roomul. Pałacowa 1, 62-510 Konintel. 63 211 33 80GrodzkaPl. Wolności 7, 62-510 Konintel. 63 244 12 33, www.grodzka.konin.plKresowiankaul. Kolska 55a, 62-510 Konintel. 63 244 52 45Pałacykul. 1 Maja 15a, 62-510 Konintel. 63 245 77 77

Church in Śmigiel,photo: Z. Schmidt

Church in Gułtowy, photo: Z. Schmidt

Church in Zakrzewo, photo: Z. Schmidt

Publisher: Wielkopolska Tourist Organizationul. 27 Grudnia 17/19, 61-737 Poznań

Text: Anna PlenzlerTranslation: Timothy Downey

Graphic design: Agencja Fotograficzna Studio-F, www.olszewskiphoto.plCover photos: K. Piechocki, Archive of „Szlak Piastowski” Tourist Organization,

Z. Schmidt

ISBN: 978-83-61454-55-7Poznań 2012

Tourist Information

Poznań61-772 Poznań, Stary Rynek 59/60tel. 61 852 61 56, 61 855 33 79it@cim.poznan.pl

Entrance, ul.27 Grudnia61-816 Poznań, ul. Ratajczaka 44 tel. 61 851 96 45, 61 856 04 54 centrum@cim.poznan.pl

Poznań International Fair60-734 Poznań, ul. Głogowska 14tel. 61 869 20 84centrum@cim.poznan.pl

Airport Poznań-Ławica60-189 Poznań, ul. Bukowska 285tel. 61 849 21 40lawica@cim.poznan.pl

Poznań Railway Station60-801 Poznań, ul. Dworcowa 1tel. 61 866 06 67info@globtourfb.poznan.pl

Gniezno 62-200 Gniezno, ul. Rynek 14tel. 61 428 41 00info@szlakpiastowski.com.pl Kalisz62-800 Kalisz, ul. Zamkowatel. 62 598 27 31it@um.kalisz.pl

Konin62-510 Konin, ul. Dworcowa 2tel. 63 246 32 48biuro@lotmarina.pl

Leszno64-100 Leszno, ul. Słowiańska 24tel. 65 529 81 91, 65 529 81 92infotur@leszno.pl

Nowy Tomyśl 64-300 Nowy Tomyślpl. Niepodległości 10tel. 61 442 38 06r.ratajczak@nowytomysl.pl

Piła64-920 Piła, al. Niepodległości 33/35tel. 67 210 94 80pit@powiat.pila.pl

Puszczykowo62-040 Puszczykowo, ul. Poznańska 1tel. 61 633 62 83, 61 898 37 11promocja@puszczykowo.pl

Śrem 63-100 Śrem, ul. Okulickiego 3tel. 61 283 27 04unia@srem.com.pl Wolsztyn64-200 Wolsztyn ul. Roberta Kocha 12atel. 68 347 31 04gci@wolsztyn.pl

Project co-financed by the European Union through the Regional Development Fund, as part of the Wielkopolska Regional Operational Program for the years 2007 - 2013

European Funds for Innovation and Development in Wielkopolska

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